We’ve got a handle on how to style, moisturize, co-wash, deep
condition, twist out, braid out, big chop and transition our hair.
Great. While everyone has spent the last few years becoming experts on
their hair (and everyone else’s for that matter), one topic that is not
being widely addressed across the blogosphere is how directly related
the health of our hair is actually related to our overall health.
Sometimes it’s not just about getting the best shea butter product on
the market or experimenting in the kitchen with beauty food. Our deepest
hair issues and concerns can often lie primarily in what is going on
internally. Before we begin dressing up our hair concerns with product
and remedies here are a few health-related hair issues that may require a
call to our doctor:
Hair Loss and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome– I shared my PCOS story
with you all when I first began writing this blog. This hormonal
disorder affects more than five million women nationally affecting
fertility, weight and hair growth. Women with PCOS typically produce
unusually high levels of androgens (male hormones) which can cause a
condition called androgenetic alopecia.
This typically causes hair at the scalp to become thin and fall out.
There are a variety of treatments for this type of hair loss involving
birth control pills, medicines and even growth stimulants but it’s best
that you speak with your doctor about what treatments are best for you. See also 9 causes of hair loss in women.
Dry Hair and Underactive Thyroid – Sometimes having
even the best moisturizing hair care system in place just doesn’t cut
it. When our thyroid gland does not produce enough produce enough of the
thyroid hormone (also known as hypothyroidism),
among a host of health-related issues, our hair, skin and nails can
become dry, brittle and weak. Even our eyebrows can start to thin. It’s
important that you check in with your doctor to find out if your dry
hair issues are attributed to hypothyroidism. See also 13 ways you can treat it naturally.
Hair That Won’t Grow and Malnutrition
– Our hair needs plenty of healthy vitamins and minerals to grow and
stay healthy including lots of proteins, omega-3s, zinc and vitamin A.
When our bodies are lacking in these important nutrients it can cause
our hair’s growth to be stunted and even fall out. Malnutrition isn’t
anything to play with especially when a main cause could be an eating
disorder. It may be beneficial to meet with a dietitian or holistic
nutritionist to determine what you may be lacking in your diet and how a
meal plan may help you regain control over your hair’s health.
Dorsey is an eco-glamour expert, writer, speaker, social entrepreneur
and creator of the blog OrganicBeautyVixen.com – “A Brown Girl’s
Guide to Eco-Glam Living”. Sherrell believes that going green with
your beauty routine doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your fierce and
fabulous style. Connect with her on twitter and facebook for all things beauty, green, eco-friendly, organic, sustainable and of course… Eco-glam.
I new here and will be coming up on my first year since the big chop. While I do have health issues and my TWA has not grown much, I have recently discovered that I am gluten intolerant. Thinning hair, bald patches, and dryness prompted me to go natural…and my beautiful niece who has been natural for 4 years. My gluten issues are so bad that I spend a lot of time reading labels. What I use on my hair is as important as what I put in my body, or on my body for that matter. So if any one out there knows of a really good product line that is all natural and gluten free that would be awesome.
Thanks for the info. I'm definitely gonna do my research before I buy anything. Thanks again! 🙂
FYI, all proteins are not alike and there are tons of choices from whey, casein, soy, egg, wheat, rice and more. Some are for quick absorbing like for first thing the morning when you break-the-fast or for after a workout however others are for meal replacements or in-between meals to absorb slower and make you feel fuller longer. Definitely do your research and consider if the supplement has vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc. as all protein supps are not made alike. Expensive doesn't always mean it's the best product either. Good luck.
Deb, Angel & CC:
1. Note that Iron or calcium in some vitamins may increase constipation.
2. Some medical conditions or nutritional deficiencies may affect nerve (neurogenic)conduction in the body and intestines, which in turn can cause constipation. Nerves stimulate intestinal evacuation. Diabetes, alcoholism, vegetarianism, or malnutrition are all conditions which can lead to nerve conduction problems.
3. Constipation can promote diverticulosis (pouches in the lining of the colon) which can become inflamed when waste becomes trapped in them (inflammation of diverticular pouches=diverticulitis).
4. There is also suspicion that retained waste can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
See a physician to rule out medical problems or vitamin deficiencies, stay hydrated, keep up with your walking & excercise, include natural fiber in your diet and eat a natural "power pudding" (bran+applesauce+prune juice) as needed to relive constipation.
HTH
Thanks so much for the info.
Funny you mention this. I am planning to go to GNC and buy some type of protein powder. Thank You! 🙂
In 2004 after i had my son my hair started falling out in patches as small as a pencil eraser to the size of a quarter. In two yrs I had been to 3 different Dr's because the first two said I had wring worm from working as a custodian in the school system and i could have picked it up from there. But the third Dr sent me to a dermatologist because I started having full body rashes also. That's when i found out that I had Discoid Lupus and it ended up turning into SLE Lupus. It took 2 yrs to find out what was wrong my hair grew back in most of the spots. I take my meds but I also take good care of myself in order to stay healthy.
I had a fungal infection that I commented about in the Forums in the "I think CG is making my hair fall out." When I first started a CG routine, I was not thoroughly cleaning my scalp. Plus, I was air-drying my hair, and sometimes twisting or braiding it up wet, which left it damp for hours. This moist, warm, dead-skin-cell environment was great for fungal growth. It was resolved by using an anti-fungal dandruff shampoo.
I take meds and I have to wash my hair with clarifying shampoo at least once per month to strip the chemicals frm my hair and I hate it to but if I don't my hair won't react to anything and will also fall out. I have to re-saturate constantly
How is your protein intake and iron levels? Several vegetarians I know personally have to supplement their protein because they don't tend to get enough on a daily basis which may deprive them of amino acids and iron.
When I was primarily eating foods and drinks with soy and suffered from vitamin D deficiency however when I cut back on soy based foods (milk, cheese, yogurt) my vitamin D levels were back to normal. I was also dealing with irregular menstral cycles for about a year when I was doing a lot of soy; my cycle is regular again. My doctor explained that for certain women an excessive amount of soy intake mimicks estrogen in the body. Therefore, elevated estrogen levels may cause other health related issues and for me it was vitamin D deficiency and irregular cycles.
Wow! Deb and Angel you both took the words out of my mouth! I have experienced the same issues as well and deal with constipation on a regular basis even with the healthy lifestyle that I live from organic/natural eating to regular exercise.
I agree with Angel regarding the vitamins and definitely an occasional probiotic which is great for women anyway, especially those who may suffer from occasional yeast infections.
Grated fresh ginger root and ginger root tea are also good for digestive health.
I have had alopecia since the age of 18. What started off as a small spot has developed into a whole 'issue' in the middle of the crown of my hair. It has become so damaging that I cannot where my natural hair. I've been taking the vitamins recommended by my doctor (biotin, Vitamin D, using the cream suggested by my dermatologist, and scalp injections every 2 or 3 months.
I go through the exact same thing you just described. Im sure its a digestive issue. What I did was go to Vitamin Shoppe and purchased the Digestive Enzymes along with Pb8, which is a great probiotic. Take it with a multivitamin and you will feel much better. Do be patient because it may take a little while to work, although I felt almost instant relief with my digestive issues. It gives you overall health and you hair will definitely benefit from it. It's worth a try.
I've done so much reading on how much diet effects our entire body. As far as moisture, I think water is an important part of our diet. And a lot of our foods are filled with so much sodium. Also to mention stress plays a huge factor with the health of our hair and body.
I find a lot of people are lacking vitamin D lately. Hope everything works out for you.
I do not have any health related issues but my hair grows slowly. My diet may not be up to par or that may be just how it grows. Either way its healthy and growing so I'm loving it.
I do not have health related health issues but I have a sister who wore weaves for so long, she developed a bald spot in the middle of her head. She stopped wearing weave for a while and used Dr. Miracle products that helped while using a dermatologist prescribed cream as well. But as soon as her hair grew back, she went back to the weave. I do not understand how people can go back to wearing something that harmed them before. I don't say anything though. I just shake my head and maybe she'll want to go natural when she sees me fully naturally (I'm transitioning). Nothing against women who wear weave and keep their real hair healthy. I just hate to see health related hair issues that can be avoided with proper hair care.
My PCOS diagnosis in 2007, at age 29 was bittersweet. It explained the combination of symptoms and hormonal affects I'd been experiencing since 2007 and helped me move forward in life. I don't have alopecia, instead I have alot of "random" hairs on my chin and neck and the classic apple shape – no butt, big gut, lol
I have a loved one suffering from folliculitis, if anyone has any info on how to cure this terrible disease please email me. Thanks
Can we add constipation to the list? I deal with chrinic constipation (even with fairly healthy diet) and time and time again I've noticed how differently my hair acts when I'm free and when I'm not. It's a BIG difference as in if im severely constipated, hair is sahara dry/frizzy, no texture whatsoever, hard to moisturize and responds to almost nothing (it takes more water and more time for it to absorb water even). If I'm free it's shiny, soft, my real texture comes out (my hair is super coily), moisturized easily…I mean NIGHT/DAY type hair. I think I'm finally getting a handle on the health issue but my natural journey has been insufferable because of it.
I've been natural for almost 2 years but still have a TWA because my hair has been expressing issues in my body. I just plan to keep it short till I find a solution. Anyway, I'm so happy for this much needed post.
I noticed my edges started to thin and turns out I have very low vitamin D. Initially, when I googled what causes thin edges I saw a lot on castor oil but something told me to go to the Dr. it's been 2 weeks and I've not seen major improvements but I cant wait to see where I am in six weeks (how long my perscription last)
most of the conventional treatments that are used to treat women’s hormonal health are contradictory ( birth control pills &/or pharmecueticals in general are known to increase risk of female cancer’s! ) in my experience the best way to treat hormones is naturally and under the supervision and guidance of a Naturopath or Homeopath…or even a chinese medicine doctor. The body’s ability to heal with natural remedies is powerful after all we came from nature.
I give every women I know this seed cycle remedy my naturopath gave me to balance my hormones which covers iron deficiency, thyroid, infertility and more
http://www.nappturaldiva.com/2012/06/balancing-your-hormones-naturally-pt1.httml
http://www.nappturaldiva.com/2012/06/seed-cycle-part-2.html
feel free to share
This is very helpful. I have been noticing symptoms of PCOS including hair thinning in the crown so I am going to the doctor asap. Thanks.
My hair seems a lot thinner than it used to. I finally learned that I have low iron. If I don't put protein in my hair it will shed enormously. During my last shedding incident I thought I was going to go bald. I am now taking a liquid multivitamin and my energy seems to be coming back but I still have to get liquid iron. I know your diet correlates to your hair health but I didn't realize how much. Maybe I can get my thick hair back 🙂
This is very informative. I take a multi-vitamin, but since becoming a vegetarian, I don't think that's enough.
I suffer from Androgenetic alopecia. I found an excellent dermatologist and have had had good results with a combination of Rogaine and Aldactone (a diuretic which is also an anti-androgen). Also taking Biotin and since my doctor found I was Vit D and Iron deficient – supplements for these ailments also.
Thanks for the info. I take a good quality multivitamin to supplement my diet.
Thank you for this. I too have PCOS and I'm finding that my hair seems thinner than I've ever felt before. Have you tried any of those antiandrogens, and if so, what has been your experience with them?
Excellent info. I never looked at hair issues and link them to health problems. Thank you for this article.